Morning.
“Hey, I’m here!”
I woke up to a sharp voice.
“Ugh… You’re here?”
“What do you mean ‘you came looking like a mess’? You should greet me grandly since I’m here!”
It’s morning, and this person really has high energy.
*Wham!*
I immediately fixed my hair and jumped up, striking a pose as I shouted,
“Welcome, Fiery Lotus! I shall serve you with utmost respect!”
“Wow!”
“What do you think? My heartfelt welcome.”
“I love it! Hahaha!”
Did she get happy? Hayoung laughed loudly, playfully tapping my arm. Why does she enjoy hitting people so much?
“Anyway, we need to go, so prepare quickly.”
“We’re going out?”
“You said you wanted to eat more Yodan, right? There’s a good demon hunting job that came up.”
“Ooh!”
Could it be that we might actually hunt and eat some ourselves?
“Then we should go quickly! But what kind of demon is it?”
“It’s a Kappa. They say there’s a habitat around Nohwaseong.”
“Kappa? What’s that?”
“You know, those water demons? They have turtle shells and beak-like mouths.”
Hold on a second.
No matter how I look at it, that sounds like the Japanese Kappa, right?
“…!”
Is that really a Japanese demon showing up in Ming Dynasty…!? Where’s Inuyasha? I have to hang out with that guy!
“Why are you shaking? Did a Kappa scare you once?”
“Oh, it’s not like that.”
“If not, oh! They say Kappas reach into the buttholes of their prey and pull out… uh, Guja-ok. Are you scared of that?”
“W-wait, they do such scary things?!”
Reaching into buttholes and pulling something out?!
They’re completely insane! Those guys should be eliminated without exception!
“Hehe, you really don’t know, do you? Anyway, let’s go. Kappas aren’t strong demons. We should be able to catch one. You might get some Yodan, too.”
“Okay! I’ll prepare quickly! We have to wipe out those monsters!”
It’s so vicious that I can understand the feelings of Mr. Song who hates goblins.
After getting ready to head out like I was going to work, I left the mansion with Hayoung. Coming out together after living in the same house feels just like a newlywed couple going to work.
A wife walking around with talismans instead of undergarments.
That’s quite provocative.
*Jingle jingle.*
Hayoung, carrying a stone plate, leads the way.
But I’m still going crazy over the talismans. From my brief study, I found out that they are used and stuck separately. The size alone is different.
But why in the world does Hayoung carry those instead of regular ones?
I can’t understand it.
* * *
We crossed over to Nohwaseong via the mountain path from Gangsoseong.
It’s the route I used the first time I came here, so I’m somewhat familiar with it. They say if I stop by the city where I used to live for repairs and go west from there, I can reach my destination.
When I arrive, I’ll have a drink with Jaemi Son and then move again.
This guy doesn’t believe a word I say—he’s completely unreasonable. Leaving Anhwisanghyeob? He should start to believe me a bit now.
“Hayoung, if we’re going to the city, I’ll contact a friend of mine when we get there. I need to let him know we’ve arrived.”
“Do that. By the way, can you tell me something interesting? Walking with you has become too boring. I need to hear some stories to make walking worthwhile.”
“Oh, what story should I tell?”
There are so many stories to share.
Just as I was thinking about it while walking with Hayoung.
“Stop.”
Hayoung halted me.
I didn’t ask what was wrong. I could tell from Hayoung’s attitude that something unusual was happening.
I instinctively sensed danger and hid behind a tree, drawing my Heavenly Thunder Sword.
“Good. Just keep doing that.”
Hayoung praised me.
“What’s wrong?”
“I think some Green Forest guys are nearby.”
“Green Forest?”
“Yeah. I haven’t seen any in this area before… I can’t say how many there are, but there’s a high chance we’ll run into them.”
“Okay.”
I nodded heavily.
The tension was rising.
Green Forest refers to a group of bandits. They are cruel and greedy murderers, and if we encounter them, it’s almost impossible to resolve the situation without killing.
“Green Forest, huh.”
Just going outside the city is a world full of demons.
For people to resort to banditry in the mountains means they are cursed human trash with no other way to survive.
They’re outcasts from the town or village. No, it’s not even just that. They are serious special criminals who are certain to be executed if they fall into the hands of the authorities.
This is different from the scumbags fighting amongst themselves.
It’s dangerous.
Those guys are far more dangerous and slimy than anyone I’ve killed before.
“Hehe, are you nervous? Don’t worry. Who am I?”
With a confident expression that seems to say, “Trust me.”
“I’m Fiery Lotus of Martial Arts History. Do you think I haven’t faced any bandits or shady guys trying to target me?”
“Oh? Now that you mention it?”
Honestly, those kinds of criminals are a sufficient target to target.
I’m all alone walking around, and I’m really pretty with a great body. On top of that, my outfit is quite revealing, so it wouldn’t be surprising if someone had bad intentions.
“There have been quite a few. Of course, none of them got to touch me before being killed. So don’t worry. I’ve dealt with villains as much as I’ve dealt with demons.”
“…”
I’m still worried about this.
No, it’s more than just worried. We could end up fighting bandits. I prepared myself mentally to risk my life.
“What’s with that face? Are you that worried?”
“I’m kind of nervous. A bit worried too.”
“Hehe. Do you think I’ll be captured and done something bad to?”
Hayoung spoke sweetly, in a tone meant to comfort me.
“Don’t worry about that, I’ll just kill them all. Now, let’s go! We’ll kill every last one of those bandits! Got it? Once we spot them, we eliminate them! Yay!”
She even raised her fist, excitedly chanting a rallying cry.
Even though I might be in a life-or-death battle soon, Hayoung encourages me as if she’s used to this.
If she’s acting like that, I can’t shrink back.
“Hehehe, the Mosan Sect’s lady shaman is just as expected! Alright! I trust you!”
“Just trust me. Do you want to hide behind me? If you come out unnecessarily and get hurt, that won’t do.”
“Don’t be ridiculous.”
I steadied my heart.
“I can’t hide behind you. No matter what, I will protect you. Got it? You’re my friend. I’ll protect you, even if it costs me my life. No running away!”
“Huh, huh… You sure talk a big game.”
“That’s just who I am. Understand?”
“…”
We’ve grown close over time.
Protecting a friend.
That’s only natural.
Jaemi Son, that man, even though it wasn’t his business, picked up a weapon for my sake. Mr. Song, who I met for the first time, shared information about goblin hunting, saying that friends should share knowledge, and bravely wielded his weapon in front.
I have friends like that.
So I have to wield my weapon for my friend, too.
“Alright, let’s fight together. Watch me.”
“Just trust me.”
With that, we moved cautiously along the mountain path.
If we get ambushed, it’ll be a disaster, so we moved as carefully as we could, but maybe advancing faster than the bandits in the mountains is a tough task.
“Boss!”
Eventually, we encountered the bandits.
One of them signaled, and the bandits appeared in droves. Suddenly, a large number of bandits came rushing in.
“Kuahaha!”
Among them, one that looked like a boss stepped forward. A tall, disheveled man with no shirt and an axe in hand.
“I finally found you! Fiery Lotus!”
But wait, he knows me?
“Do you know who I am?”
When Hayoung tilted her head, the guy laughed loudly.
“Puhahaha! Do you think I would not know Martial Arts History? I heard rumors you appeared in Nohwaseong and have been lying in wait for you! I’ve missed you so much!”
Is this creep a stalker?
“Seeing you like this truly brings me joy! You are indeed as beautiful as the rumors say, with a figure that could move mountains! I have been waiting for the day I could grope you and fill you thoroughly!”
What the hell.
“Cluck-cluck-cluck! Boss! She really looks delicious!”
“Those huge breasts…!”
“Wow! If I could suck on them without limit, I would have no regrets!”
“I want to just suck her down there all day long!”
“Laugh all you want, I could suck her backdoor for an entire week!”
“What else could we do other than jab? You guys! Hehehe!”
The boss’s lascivious words elicited responses from the bandits drooling with excitement. How dare they insult Hayoung… I would want to kill them all right now, but Hayoung just stared at them with the look of someone observing garbage.
“Surrender, Fiery Lotus! Surrender now, and I will treat you like a lovely sex slave! I won’t even hit you!”
“Oh, really?”
“Well, I’d let my underlings have their share too. You might have to endure a bit of… uh… for a while, but I’ll make sure to prevent you from getting pregnant. Only my baby will come out of you. Don’t you think that’s a fair offer?”
That bastard… is mad, like Madunachal.
Silently assessing the number of bandits, I counted a total of twelve. How strong is the boss? Can we take them all with just the two of us?
To be honest, I still don’t know Hayoung’s true power. But if she’s similar to Serin… I wouldn’t think Serin would struggle with this many bandits.
The problem is, Serin is an expert martial artist, while Hayoung is a shaman, and shamans tend to be weaker in head-to-head fights, right?
It’s clear I should protect while fighting.
“Hey, you bastards!!!”
First, I shouted loudly to draw their attention.
“What…?”
“Go tell your moms that annoying joke! She’ll surely love that!”
As I casually provoked them.
“What did you just say?!”
“That crazy bastard…!”
“What the hell are you saying!”
In an instant, their faces turned red.
“Your mom will definitely cry tears of joy when she hears you doing something good! So hurry up and tell your moms!”
“That bastard! I’ll kill you!!!”
Finally, the boss exploded, letting out a roar.
“I’ll chop you into pieces and feed you to the crows, but wait! What’s up with this kid?”
As the boss spat out curses, he suddenly tilted his head.
Why?
“Wait, wait…!”
Then he gasped in realization.
“Fiery Lotus! Don’t tell me this kid isn’t your love interest! You sacrificed your virginity to me and now you’re with a man! Ughhhhhh!”
Huh?
“What a bastard! Did you desecrate Fiery Lotus?!”
The boss pointed at me, fuming. I was completely dumbfounded and didn’t even know what to say.
What’s up with this crazy guy?
Just a moment ago, he was trying to humiliate Hayoung!
*Swish.*
At that moment, Hayoung hugged my arm and said,
“Well, I guess I am a bit tainted. It’s just that I’m way, way, way too dirty now. Honestly, it would be justifiable if you did something to me while making those filthy comments.”
No, hey!
“What!? You…! You bastard! You guys! Kill him, and capture Fiery Lotus alive! If you harm her, I’ll kill you! No! Don’t even kill him! No matter what, I’ll make that dude pay for dirtifying my woman!”
This guy is totally insane!
“Go and beat him!!!”
The boss shouted, and the battle began.
“Uwaaaaah! Let’s beat that bastard!”
“You dare insult my mom! Kraaah!”
“This girl looks delicious, indeed!”
“I’ll be sure to shower her in love all day long!”
The bandits rushed in, their eyes gleaming. Their fighting spirit doesn’t seem much different from the armies of the Ming Dynasty. Are these really the Green Forest bandits?
“How dare you insult Hayoung! I’ll chop you all to pieces!”
Given the situation, I need to use the terrain as much as I can. If those fighting spirits all charge in at once, there’s really no way to deal with it.
“Uh!”
Using my enhanced skills, I prepared to execute the Flowing Stream Sword Technique, aiming to brutally slay a few and lower their morale when…
“Sigh.”
Hayoung sighed,
“I’m sick of these bug-like bastards. Every time I get sexually harassed by these trash, it makes me nauseous. Seriously. Do they even know how to say anything else? Touching and sucking, over and over.”
That was it.
“Die.”
*Fwoosh!*
The demon arts unfolded.
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